Related Topics

Emergency Preparedness Communications

Communication to the public is critically important in public health emergency preparedness. Communications, especially “public information and warning”, is one of 15 public health emergency preparedness capabilities developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During a crisis, federal, state, and local public health agencies must use a variety of public information strategies to inform the community of the incident, in order to get community members to take appropriate actions to stay safe and healthy.

This webpage provides links to state and national emergency preparedness communications resources. The resources listed here were developed for public health professionals. If you have questions about these resources, please contact the Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response [health.epr@state.mn.us]. Help is also available through the MDH Communications Office [health.communications@state.mn.us]. During active emergencies, you may contact the Communications Office anytime (24/7) by calling 651-201-4989.

Minnesota Resources

Emergency Preparedness & Response News
Emergency Preparedness & Response News replaces the old Ready to Respond MDH Preparedness Newsletter, but still focuses on health emergency issues, including statewide preparedness activities at the Minnesota Department of Health, in the health care system, district offices and more.

Health Alert Network
Learn about the program that delivers information to public health and health care providers across Minnesota in the event of a disease outbreak, environmental threat, natural disaster, or act of terrorism.

National Resources

CDC Crisis and Emergency Risk Communications (CERC)
The right message at the right time from the right person can save lives. CDC’s Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication (CERC) draws from lessons learned during past public health emergencies and research in the fields of public health, psychology, and emergency risk communication. CDC’s CERC program provides trainings, tools, and resources to help health communicators, emergency responders, and leaders of organizations communicate effectively during emergencies.

FEMA Public Information Officer (PIO) training and resources
Public information is a vital function in disaster operations that contributes greatly to saving lives and protecting property. Public information entails the processes and systems that enable effective communications with various target audiences. The Emergency Management Institute (EMI) Public Information Officer (PIO) training program provides PIOs with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to support proper decision-making by delivering the right message, to the right people, at the right time.